Hotel Industry News

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the hotel sector, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on B&Bs, hotels, guesthouses and other property types.

The hotel sector is undergoing significant transformation, powered by new technologies, evolving guest expectations, and a renewed focus on direct booking and operational efficiency. PhocusWire delivers the latest hotel industry news, covering the strategies and innovations shaping the future of global hospitality.

Hotel chain developments, hospitality trends, and market shifts

Stay updated on how hotel brands are expanding, restructuring, and embracing digital platforms to elevate the guest experience. From contactless check-in and AI-powered pricing to loyalty evolution and branded residential offerings, our coverage tracks the industry’s response to changing demand and competitive pressure.

Lobby, Crewfare win People's Choice Awards at the 2026 Global Startup Pitch
News / Startups
Lobby, Crewfare win People's Choice Awards at the 2026 Global Startup Pitch
By WiT | October 2, 2026
Lobby and Crewfare will showcase their innovations at The Phocuswright Conference 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Read More
PhocusWire travel tech news briefs: Expedia, Mindtrip, Yanolja and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire travel tech news briefs: Expedia, Mindtrip, Yanolja and more...
By PhocusWire | October 2, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Choice Hotels acquires RV travel company Harvest Hosts for $130M
News / Distribution
Choice Hotels acquires RV travel company Harvest Hosts for $130M
By Linda Fox | October 1, 2026
Choice is acquiring 100% of Harvest Hosts in an all cash deal from growth equity firm Stripes and other shareholders. Read More
Juniper Group acquires Bookassist
News / Technology
Juniper Group acquires Bookassist
By Linda Fox | October 1, 2026
Terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but Ireland-based Bookassist will join Juniper Group in January 2027. Read More
Hotels still stuck on manual work despite increased AI adoption
News / Technology
Hotels still stuck on manual work despite increased AI adoption
By Abby Crotty | October 1, 2026
The latest State of Distribution report from NYU, RateGain and HEDNA suggests that midsize chains are best positioned to benefit from AI. Read More
Indonesia set to overtake Thailand as Southeast Asia's largest travel market
Online
Indonesia set to overtake Thailand as Southeast Asia's largest travel market
By Phocuswright Research | September 30, 2026
A fuel shock from the U.S.-Iran War has slowed regional growth to 2% in 2026. Phocuswright's new report tracks the fallout through 2029. Read More
'Constant intention to buy' forces hotels to rethink the marketing funnel
News / Online
'Constant intention to buy' forces hotels to rethink the marketing funnel
By Matthew Parsons | September 30, 2026
Rather than guiding consumers along a linear path to booking, hotels should pull them in from multiple “orbits,” new research suggests. Read More
Booking Holdings-backed Lola unveils membership model for AI travel and experiences assistant
News / Technology
Booking Holdings-backed Lola unveils membership model for AI travel and experiences assistant
By Abby Crotty | September 29, 2026
Kayak founders Steve Hafner and Paul English share new details on Lola, the new AI assistant they are building with paid memberships, booking capabilities and ad-free recommendations. Read More
Dextr AI secures $6.7M for agentic hospitality platform
News / Finance
Dextr AI secures $6.7M for agentic hospitality platform
By Linda Fox | September 29, 2026
The startup provides hotel employees with teams of artificial intelligence (AI) agents covering voice AI, guest management, back office operations, staff management and sales and marketing. Read More
HyperGuest lands $25M investment, plans international growth
News / Finance
HyperGuest lands $25M investment, plans international growth
By Linda Fox | September 29, 2026
The investment comes from Apax Partners, which has previously invested in Guesty and acquired a minority stake in IBS Software. Read More
What new research reveals about how travelers use AI to plan trips
From Our Partners / Technology
What new research reveals about how travelers use AI to plan trips
By Propellic | September 28, 2026
Propellic watched U.S. travelers plan trips with AI for a week and learned where travel brands should be competing. Preview the findings ahead of the full report.   Read More
As tourism races to adopt AI, the industry must hear workers’ voices
Opinion / Technology
As tourism races to adopt AI, the industry must hear workers’ voices
By Stroma Cole - University of Westminster | September 28, 2026
University of Westminster professor Stroma Cole argues that travel workers deserve say as AI reshapes their jobs. Read More
AIHG secures $7.5M to implement AI-powered hotel management system
News / Finance
AIHG secures $7.5M to implement AI-powered hotel management system
By Linda Fox | September 25, 2026
The investment will go towards further developing AIHG's agentic technology and onboarding its first hotels. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Rail Europe, Perk, TravelAI and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Rail Europe, Perk, TravelAI and more...
By PhocusWire | September 25, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
OpenAI chairman tells travel industry: Do not restrain your AI agents
News / Technology
OpenAI chairman tells travel industry: Do not restrain your AI agents
By Matthew Parsons | September 25, 2026
Bret Taylor, who is also the co-founder of Sierra, urged travel brands to adopt agents to reduce friction, calling agents "remarkable." Read More